Meet Grady Michael

Here at last our new baby boy Grady Michael entered our world on February 25th at 5:54 pm. The labor was intense since my pain medication didn't start working until two minutes after he came out. I now know what it fealt like for my Grandma, and might I say what a trooper for having more than one child. Grady weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces and was 18 inches long. We think he resembles both of our other boys in certain areas and are of course completely in love. He is a good little boy. Mom is doing well besides a headache that won't quit and a little back pain. We are so happy to have the pregnancy over and welcome our new son into the world. The boys are doing great as well. They like him but he's a little boring for them right now. That will change soon enough I'm just want to enjoy him being small for now since we are all pretty certain he is our last. I will post more pictures later but for now this will have to do.

Auntie Nica's Visit

My sister came to visit for a couple of days and we had a great time just hanging out. She helped me with the boys outside so we could get them out to play one last time before the baby comes. I can't take them by myself anymore it's way too hard to move around. The snow came up to my thighs. We finally made a good snowman this year. We did make one earlier this year but it was dirty with pine needles all over it and since then almost all our snow has been Utah powder. Great snow for shoveling and skiing but not so much for snow balls and snowmen. The kids just

liked being out side and playing with their Aunt.
Below are me and the boys trying to get out of the snow. I only have about 2 weeks left until this baby comes and we can't wait. Hayden already counts our family as five so hopefully is won't be too big of a shock when the baby actually appears and stays around. Coy, on the other hand, I don't think has any real concept of what is going on. We have talked about it and prepared them both as much as we can so hopefully we will only have unconditional love for the new baby from the boys.

Toy Shelves? Check.

Finally another project done. We created these shelves in the closet under the stairs. It's the boys own place to keep all their toys. I was surprised how quickly the shelves filled up. Think we have enough? This isn't even all of them. I keep some out of site and rotate so they feel like they have something new once in a while. I have to admit it's time to purge again. They build up so fast. The boys like it and play with more of their toys now. They can see everything and everything has a place so clean up is quick and easy, making Moms life much easier as well. Thanks to my Dad we were able to get this done before the baby's arrival. He helps me so much, I could never pay him back for all he does and has done for me. I will be eternally grateful for being blessed with such a great Dad.

Daddy Buzzed Home

Travis went to Kansas City for a week for Wal-Mart management training and brought home silly gifts for the kids. He got to see the Blue Man group, Martina McBride, Salma Hayek, and Jerry Seinfeld. He said Jerry Seinfeld was way funny and by far his favorite act, he also passed out these funny bee head bands to promote his movie just leaving the theatres Bee Movie. The kids thought they were pretty funny, but were more excited to have Daddy home again. I told Travis I don't know what I would do if something ever happen to you, because the kids never stopped asking for him. I guess that just proves what a good Dad he is. The whole house lights up with excitement when Daddy comes home even if it's just from one day at work. I love it, let's just hope they always love and look up to their father as much as they do now.

5 Weeks and Counting

For those of you who don't know this is my best friend Megan. I have know her, literally, since I was born. She is a year older than me, grew up about an hour and half away, and coincidentally is pregnant with her fourth child, due just 3 days after me. We couldn't have planned it any better. Travis and I did plan this pregnancy, but I have to admit I was more surprised at this pregnancy than the previous two since I had only been off the pill for 2 to 3 weeks. Megan was much more surprised, since she had an appointment for an IUD, only to find it would be postponed for almost another year, because surprise she was pregnant too. She is such a trooper when I would have sobbing, she was genuinely happy about haveing another child. So here we are at the end of our journey, complaining about pregnancy woe's, and there are plenty. I am so very ready to have this baby, between my muscles aching, heart burn, lack of sleep, and all the waddling and squatting my energy fails me quickly every day. I'm on the count down and excited to meet our new little family member.

Pooped

No matter how old they get I can't resist the sleeping pictures. Such peaceful innocent moments are rare and adorable. I sure love my little guys.

Journaling

I must confess I am not a good Journal keeper. I've been striving to do better since last conference, and that great talk that was given about writing down your experiences. I know how good it is for you, emotionally and I know it's a commandment, but still it's something I have struggled with. So I am pleased to announce I finally finished this Calla Lilly journal I started in April 2004. Despite the fact that there are a few six month gaps, when I read back I remember things I have long forgotten and am grateful for what was written. I am succeeding with my new journal, making sure there are at least a few entries a week. Hopefully when my grand kids get a hold of this one it will benefit them in some way or another.